On July 20, 2024, the Adventist Church in Sabah achieved a significant milestone with the launch of Building C.A.R.E. (Children. Autism. Resilience. Empowered) under the Adventist Possibility Ministries (APM), in the Ming Garden Hotel, Kota Kinabalu, Sabah, Malaysia. This initiative stands as Malaysia’s first Adventist autism advocacy program.

The launch event drew 200 participants, including church leaders, pastors, and teachers from the Malaysia Union Mission (MAUM) and Sabah Mission, as well as representatives from the Education and Health Departments of the Sabah State Government. Families with autistic children and various non-government organizations (NGO) also attended, united by a shared vision: to promote inclusivity for children on the autism spectrum and to reduce, if not eradicate, stigma through educational programs. The program also advocates for increased infrastructure and support for these children.

In her opening speech, Dr. Jane Yap, APM director of MAUM, emphasized the significance of this initiative. “We are stepping out of our usual practice, from our comfort zone, to become a church that truly matters to the community by caring and advocating to be the voice of the voiceless, of the weak. This is the worship that God desires from each one of us,” she said.

The Building C.A.R.E. program seeks to provide comprehensive support and resources for children with autism and their families. By nurturing awareness and understanding within the community, the program aims to create a more inclusive environment where every child can thrive.

Participants expressed their enthusiasm for the program, noting the critical need for such advocacy in the region. Church leaders highlighted the importance of collaboration with government agencies and NGOs to ensure the success of Building C.A.R.E. and maximize its impact.

The launch of Building C.A.R.E. comes at a crucial time, as the prevalence of autism spectrum disorder (ASD) in Malaysia has been steadily rising. Recent data indicates that the rate of ASD in Malaysia is between one and two per 1,000 children aged 18 months to three years. In 2021, 589 children under the age of 18 were diagnosed with autism, up from 562 in 2020. This increase mirrors global trends in autism diagnoses, often attributed to improved awareness and diagnostic criteria (CodeBlue Galen Centre) (CodeBlue Galen Centre) (CDC).

The Building C.A.R.E. movement is a significant step forward in the Adventist Church’s commitment to community service and inclusivity. It serves as a powerful example of compassion, demonstrating the church's dedication to supporting vulnerable populations and promoting a message of love and acceptance.

The original article was published on the Southern Asia-Pacific Division website.